1. Group#4 Homework ATMS 411 Sebastian White, Kelsey Anderson, Maritza Andicoechea, Saleh Alzahrani

2. Problem?? Find a December in Reno with strong temperature inversions in the morning as noted on NWS balloon soundings. Define and display temperature inversions and why they are so stable. Calculate the actual lapse rate from data in soundings. Calculate the same from UNR and DRI weather stations. Compare as a time series your results by both methods.

3. Temperature Inversions Definition: Thin layers embedded within the troposphere in which temperature increases with height. Normally temperature decreases as height increases. In the event of a temperature inversion, temperature increases as height increases. In other words the lapse rate is negative.

4. Sounding #1

5. Sounding #2

6. Sounding #3

7. Sounding #4

8. UNR/DRI Time Series

9. Calculations Lapse rate from sounding #2:    −  C°/km Lapse rate from UNR/DRI weather station on Dec 04 12Z:  =-19.5C°/km

10. Conclusion The average lapse rate calculated from our soundings is -11.8C°/km. The average lapse rate calculated from the UNR/DRI station data is -11.5 C°/km. Temperature inversions have very strong static stability. This is due to strong vertical mixing and the buoyancy.